Blaming the Victim: University Student Attitudes Toward Bullying |
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| Authors: | Tammy S Garland Christina Policastro Tara N Richards Karen S Miller |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Social, Cultural, and Justice Studies, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA;2. School of Criminal Justice, University of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA;3. Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Political Science, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, West Virginia, USA |
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| Abstract: | Numerous studies have examined adolescent attitudes toward bullying, but limited research has explored college students’ attitudes toward victims of bullying. Using data collected from three southern universities (n = 1,135), the current research investigates demographic, experiential, and behavioral factors that are likely to influence whether university students attribute blame to bullying victims. Findings indicate that most university students report prosocial attitudes toward bullying. Victim blaming and minimizing attitudes were most common among males, heterosexuals, and those with a history of prior bullying perpetration during junior high or high school. Individuals reporting a higher frequency of drug use were significantly more likely to support victim blaming attitudes, and those who engaged in more frequent alcohol use were significantly more likely to minimize bullying. |
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| Keywords: | attitudes beliefs bullying college students perceptions victim blaming victimization |
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